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Transform Toronto into national park: Jode Roberts’s Big Idea

Jode Roberts has a great idea about the Environment: Bring nature back to the city by adding green to rooftops, alleyways, streets and balconies

Tues., Feb. 4, 2014

Name: Jode Roberts

Issue: Environment: We need clean air and water but green spaces are important too …

What’s the big idea: What if Toronto was transformed into a national park? That is the big idea behind the Homegrown National Park Project that started last year, and hopes to go citywide in 2015.

How will the big idea work: The idea behind the Homegrown National Park Project is to stretch the idea of “green” in the city to include more than just parks and to bring nature back to the city, one creative green intervention at a time. By adding a bit more green to rooftops, alleys, yards, streets and balconies, we can begin to re-imagine the city as a rich, vibrant urban ecosystem.

How much will your big idea cost, and how would it be funded: The project is currently being supported by the David Suzuki Foundation and about two dozen local project partner groups. The project is largely fuelled by eager volunteer Homegrown Park Rangers who are recruited and trained to be strong community leaders. Most of the projects being created through the project cost only $1,000 to $5,000, and funds are being raised through fundraising and small foundation grants. To bring the project citywide in 2015 will require an investment of an additional $150,000.

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How will you implement your big idea: The project began in Ward 19 in 2013. This year it is being implemented in Wards 17-21. To bring the project to all 44 wards in 2015, there will need to be co-ordination through dozens of local community groups and strong support through great initiatives like #StarBigIdeas.

Do you have an idea on how to make the GTA a better place to live? Submit it here to participate in our year-long project.

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